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Re: [TheCostumersManifesto] costume fittings I am sooo tired of cast members not saving time for fittings !

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Ed and/or Kathryn Belzer

I have worked in both pro and amateur theatre as well as film. I find that the stage manager is the best one to go to for bookings. You tell the SM how much

Message 1 of 8
, Nov 16, 2012

I have worked in both pro and amateur theatre as well as film. I find that the stage manager is the best one to go to for bookings. You tell the SM how much time you need with whom and the director or costume designer comes as well to approve the final fittings. I was taught by a wonderful designer to take photos at the fitting. You will see things in calm perusal of these photos that you can't take in with all the fuss at a fitting. I saw a difference in shoulder height one time that had everything all wonky. I couldn't see it on the actor, but a grid over a photo made the whole matter clear as a bell.

Film seems to be different because the costumes sometimes go out to location and we never even see the actor, The worst case I ever had of misinformation was a waist 8 inches larger than the measurements provided to me. Of course the garment didn't fit and there was a whirl of activity around that glitch in the shooting schedule!

Kathryn

On 2012-11-16, at 12:56 PM, PatR wrote:

> How do you get your cast and director to realize costume fittings are necessary and something they need to make time for? How are they handled in pro. theatre ? The costume shop is not at the theatre but another address so they have to come here and they know that, at the beginning. I am not a fan of them running in 15 min before they are called for rehearsal and wanting to be fit for the 5 costumes they have. How do you all do it.
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

diana thompson

A WAY I HAVE FOUND...again, you need support from director and higher ups....miss a fitting, one chance to reschedule within 2 days......miss it again... part

Message 2 of 8
, Nov 21, 2012

A WAY I HAVE FOUND...again, you need support from director and higher
ups....miss a fitting, one chance to reschedule within 2 days......miss it
again...
part goes to SOMEONE ELSE....
perhaps this would help.
diana thompson
Blackthistle Designs

> **
>
>
> How do you get your cast and director to realize costume fittings are
> necessary and something they need to make time for? How are they handled in
> pro. theater ? The costume shop is not at the theater but another address
> so they have to come here and they know that, at the beginning. I am not a
> fan of them running in 15 min before they are called for rehearsal and
> wanting to be fit for the 5 costumes they have. How do you all do it.
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

greg spooner

Support from Director and SM are a great help. If you wish to turn the knife more I have had occasion where a cast member was a total pain and this was an

Message 3 of 8
, Nov 21, 2012

Support from Director and SM are a great help. If you wish to turn the knife more I have had occasion where a cast member was a total pain and this was an exception to the normal rule. Pain not only to me may I add but director producer et al. She was told to get herself to fitting or the costumed changed. It would have kept her in character but also made her look frumpy and slightly comic. She was alas having a fit of the dramatic I Am. Otherwise as has been suggested a schedule for fitting support from the SM. Most folks I have found to be reasonable its the minority that think we wave a magic quick unpick and a costume appears.

A WAY I HAVE FOUND...again, you need support from director and higher
ups....miss a fitting, one chance to reschedule within 2 days......miss it
again...
part goes to SOMEONE ELSE....
perhaps this would help.
diana thompson
Blackthistle Designs

> **
>
>
> How do you get your cast and director to realize costume fittings are
> necessary and something they need to make time for? How are they handled in
> pro. theater ? The costume shop is not at the theater but another address
> so they have to come here and they know that, at the beginning. I am not a
> fan of them running in 15 min before they are called for rehearsal and
> wanting to be fit for the 5 costumes they have. How do you all do it.
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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Yahoo! Groups Links

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Pat Rohrbach

Thank you all for your suggestions and stories I once had a director who told an actor if you don t want to wear the costume that is fine we will find someone

Message 4 of 8
, Nov 21, 2012

Thank you all for your suggestions and stories I once had a director who
told an actor if you don't want to wear the costume that is fine we will
find someone that would love to with no problem, she stayed in the show.
People who have been doing it for a time know better than to behave badly it
is the younger kids that just don't get it sometime the same generation that
doesn't know where their waist is LOL. I don't suffer fools I am afraid I
set a date and time and place and that is it, they all show up. They may not
like the time or the limits but they do show up. I work in a college and
also for some local theaters. I don't charge the semi-professional theaters
much and I have a lot of stock but they also know show up or go on stage in
your own clothes I don't care either way ,I do not cater to anyone, without
a good reason why I should. I was just having a problem with a new group
in a startup theater but stuck to my guns and they came around. I don't need
their money it is a favor to them and they know that.

Support from Director and SM are a great help. If you wish to turn the
knife more I have had occasion where a cast member was a total pain and this
was an exception to the normal rule. Pain not only to me may I add but
director producer et al. She was told to get herself to fitting or the
costumed changed. It would have kept her in character but also made her
look frumpy and slightly comic. She was alas having a fit of the dramatic I
Am. Otherwise as has been suggested a schedule for fitting support from the
SM. Most folks I have found to be reasonable its the minority that think we
wave a magic quick unpick and a costume appears.

A WAY I HAVE FOUND...again, you need support from director and higher
ups....miss a fitting, one chance to reschedule within 2 days......miss it
again...
part goes to SOMEONE ELSE....
perhaps this would help.
diana thompson
Blackthistle Designs

> **
>
>
> How do you get your cast and director to realize costume fittings are
> necessary and something they need to make time for? How are they handled

in

> pro. theater ? The costume shop is not at the theater but another address
> so they have to come here and they know that, at the beginning. I am not a
> fan of them running in 15 min before they are called for rehearsal and
> wanting to be fit for the 5 costumes they have. How do you all do it.
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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